Bulb mounting for headlamps



M y 5, 1931. R. w. JHNSON 1,8 3,709

BULB MOUNTING FOR HEADLAMPS Filed May 28, 1929 gwuml oz l I 7foy WJJ/vzson Patented -M'ay- 5, 1931 UNITED s'rA TES PATENT OFFICE ROY W. JOHNSON, 01' OOLUIBiUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TEE JOHN W. BROWN IAJTUIAO- TUBING COMPANY, OF (DLUMIBUS, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO BULB MOUNTING FOR EEADLAH'IB v Application filed lay 28,

This invention relates to an improved bulb mounting for use in connection with motor vehicle headlamps, and a rimary object of the invention resides in t e provision of a simple yet eflicient mounting for efiecting I 'the support of an incandescent bulb in an axial position wherein the filament or filaments of the bulb will occu' y a certain predetermined relationship wit the parabo ical 1 surface of a lamp reflector, to. the end of ob- I go and wherein the use of adjustin devices for varying the focal position oft e bulb with res ect to the reflector are-eliminated.

&ith these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of arts hereinafter to be full described an pointed out in the appende claims.

In the accompa'nyin drawin k Figure 1 is a vertica sectiona view taken through a headlamp provided with the bulb mounting comprising the resent invention,

Figure 2 is near elevation of the mounting lookin toward the axial rear portion of a amp re ector,

Fi re 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectiona view taken through the mounting,

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the insulated base piece constituting a part of the mounting,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the outer metallic sleeve portion of the mounting,

Figure 6 is a group view showing in front and side elevation the resilient ring which is employed for maintaining the mounting in place, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the lamp reflector. 4

Referring more particularly to the draw- 1929. Serial No. 888,878.

ing, the numeral 1 designates the body or casing of a headlamp. Within the body there is arranged any standard type of reflector 2, the front of the reflector being closed by means of the usual lens 3. The axial portion of the reflector is provided with an opening 4 which is adapted to re- .ceive a mounting 5 for efiectin the support of an incandescent lamp bul 6 within the reflector 2 and in a required position in relation to the reflecting surfaces of said reflector so as to secure a predetermined projection of light from the lamp.

The mounting 5, which comprises the present invention, consists of a metallic sleeve 7 which, in this instance, has been formed intermediately of its end to provide an annular rib 8. This rib serves as a positionin means and engages with that portion 0 the reflector surrounding the opening 4, thus limiting the axial movement of the sleeve in a rearward direction. Arranged in one end of the sleeve 7 is a base element 9 formed from any suitable dielectric substance. This base is loosely mounted in the sleeve but is positively retained in a desired position by means of a pair of fin ers or tongues 10 which are integrally ormed with one end of the sleeve and which, following insertion of the base into its operative position, are bent inwardly so as to retain the base against movement. The insertive movement of the base is also limited by means of a stop lug 11 which is'punched inwardly from the outer wall of the sleeve 7 so as to engage within a recess 12 provided in the base 9. Not only does the lug 11 serve to limit the forward movement of the base 9 in the'sleeve but it also serves to position the base in a certain axial location. This is required due to the fact that the base 9 has connected therewith a pair of plungers 13 which act as current conductors and are adapted to be connected with the wires 14 which are employed to transmit current to the filament of the bulb 6. These plungers are arranged in parallel order within the base 9 and have their forward ends provided with heads 15 with which engage coil springs 16, the springs 16 being disposed between the heads 15 and the forward wall of the base 9 so as to normally support the plungers 13 outwardly. The heads 15 are adapted for registration and contact with the customary spaced and stationary contacts l7 provided on the rear of the bulb base 6. The contacts 17 are, of course, connected with the filaments 18 of the bulb in the usual manner.

The base of the bulb is provided with the customary pins 19 which are adapted to be positioned Within bayonet slots 20 formed in the forward end of the sleeve 7.

Surrounding the sleeve 7 is a flat corrugated spring washer 21. This washer has been shown particularly in Figure 6. In practice the washer is positioned between the outturned lugs 22 formed with the sleeve 7 and the rear wall of the reflector 2, the said washer serving to resiliently maintain yet positively position the rib 8 in contact with its seated portion around the opening 4. The inner edge of the washer 21 is formed with a plurality of recesses 23 by means of which the washer may be brought into registration with the lugs 22 to effect the removal of the washer from the sleeve and the consequent dissembling from the reflector. Likewise, the reflector 2 has the edge of the axial opening 4 provided with recesses 24 through which the lugs 22 are passed during the positioning of the sleeve 7 within the reflector. One of the recesses 24 is of greater width, as indicated at 24, in order to receive the lug 25 also formed with the sleeve 7. By forming the lug 25 and one of the recesses 24 of greater width, it will be seen that the sleeve 7 can only be lnserted within the reflector one way and will then be maintained in a certain axial location with respect to the reflector. The outer peripheral edge of the washer is also notched as at 26 to permit of the insertion of a tool (not shown) for effecting the rotation of the washer when the latter is in its applied position and to register the depressions 27 of the spring washer 21 with the lugs 22 of the sleeve 7. Thus the washer is held in firm contact with the sleeve 7 and the reflector 2 and also prevents accidental rotation thereof.

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a mountmg of a formation prmitting of its economical manufacture and convenient assembly. The relatively movable or separable parts of the mounting are securely related both by positive and resilient fastening means so that the device will securely maintain its position and overcome looseness, rattle and vibration. The filaments of the bulb occupy, through the provision of the mounting, a certain focal relationship to the reflector and maintain this relationship constant throughout the use of the lamp.

What is claimed is 1. The combination with a reflector pro- Vided with an opening, of a tubular lamp holder occupying said opening and formed with an annular shoulder engaging one side of the reflector, a plurality of lugs struck out from said holder at a point spaced from said shoulder and the other side of the reflector, a corrugated spring washer on said holder positioned between said lugs and reflector, said washer being formed with notches in the corrugations nearest the reflector and along its inner periphery and through which said lugs pass, there being depressions formed in the corrugations farthest away from said reflector whereby upon the rotation of said washer said lugs will ride up on the corrugations and be seated within the depressions, the washer serving to draw the shoulder of said holder into firm holding engagement with said reflector.

2. The combination with a reflector provided with an opening, of a tubular lamp holder extending through said opening and formed with an annular bead engaging one side of the reflector, a plurality of lugs struck out from said holder at a point spaced from said bead and the other side of the reflector, a corrugated spring washer on said holder positioned between said lugs and reflector, said washer being .formed with notches in the corrugations nearest the reflector and along the inner periphery of said washer, depressions formed in the corrugations farthest away from said reflector, and notches formed in the latter corrugations for the insertion of a washer rotating tool whereby during the positioning of said washer upon said holder said lugs will pass through the inner notches and engage with the washer so as to draw the same towards said reflector.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROY W. JOHNSON. 

